Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 10 (Thursday Bonus!)

Luckstrong!

Well hello again, fooball fans!

Welcome to Week 10 of the NFL season!  As always, Mike Otto has joined us to discuss this week's Thursday Night Football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mike, what do you think about this one?

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-3) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-7)

Chuckstrong lives!

The Colts inspirational season continued last week with a big win at home over the Dolphins.  Plus, early this week we all found out Chuckstrong's cancer had gone into remission!

Word is Jacksonville residents wish their hometown team would go into remission as well, or, at the very least, undergo some treatment to rid the team of Blaine Gabbert.

All joking aside, that is great news for Chuck and his family as well as the Colts organization.  I won't lie, I'm kind of rooting for the Colts this year.  I mean, how awesome would it be if Andrewie Lucky and Peytie Manny met in the playoffs?

Gotta keep the momentum rollin' against a godawful Jags team.  I think the Jags make it close, but in the end lose 27-20.

And there you have it.

Be sure to give Mike Otto a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters) to stay up to date on his maniacal rantings.  Mike will be right back here on Saturday with his picks for the rest of the league as well as his breakdown of Sunday's Vikings/Lions game.

This blog also has a Twitter account (@NewestIndustry1) which you should follow to stay up on all the work being done by our contributors.  More importantly, we also have a Facebook page here.  Stop by and give us a "like" if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 8 Picks!

Hello football fans!  Welcome to Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 8... again!

(Bengals Cheerleader Sarah Jones aka The Greatest Cheerleader There Ever Was)

As we mentioned earlier this week, the whole structure of this week's Ten & Six was turned on its head thanks to the Vikings/Buccaneers game taking place Thursday night.  Scroll down to see how Mike thought that one was going to play out (hint... It could've gone better).

However, today is indeed Saturday and we know that it wouldn't be a Saturday without Mike's picks for the rest of the league.

If you include Thursday's Vikings game Mike is sporting a record of 69-54.

And so here we are, NFL.  Week 8.  What do ya think, Mikey?

Last week was a pretty good week for my picks, which went 10-3.  I'm going to wait to recap the Vikings/Bucs game until next week due to the fact that I'm still very angry and need a week to straighten the thoughts and let the rage fade.  With that said, on to this weekend's games.

Miami (3-3) at New York Jets (3-4)

Lots of bad blood between these division rivals.  Lots of trash talk.  First, the droopy Rex Ryan telling his team to "put hot sauce" on Reggie Bush, whatever the fuck that means.  Then the brutish Laron Landry said he wasn't, "gonna stop head-hunting."  At least he was straight forward!

Why are these two teams so angry?  Probably because accepting you're terrible isn't easy and the normal reaction is to just lash out.

The Jets somehow pissed last week's Patriots game away and they will find a way to piss this one away as well.  Dolphins win 24-23

San Diego (3-3) at Cleveland (1-6)

Ever wondered how NFL players and coaches spend their bye weeks?

Well, if you're Norv Turner the majority is spent crying, filming Proactiv commercials, and throwing darts at a picture of Phillip Rivers.

Speaking of Phillip Rivers, it will be interesting to see if his bye week diet of pizza bagels and Mountain Dew: Code Red will affect his play.  Can't make it worse, right?

As sad a team as the Chargers are, they will bounce back and beat the Browns 27-17

Indianapolis (3-3) at Tennessee (3-4)

Ever since the Titans got trounced by the Vikings their play has improved and they have two wins to show for it.

The Colts did their part last week in keeping cat food in my cat's mouth and out of mine.

So, here we have two slightly-below-average teams both coming off narrow victories.  The intrigue!  The excitement!

The Colts will be interesting again in two years when Andrew Luck starts dominating.  The Titans may never be interesting again, but they win this week 26-20

New England (4-3) at St. Louis (3-4)

The Patriots were lucky to escape with a win last week.  They can't seem to get out of their own way in the fourth quarter.

Last week, Tom Brady got the ball in the fourth at a point when a long drive would end the game.  What happened?  He went three & out!  That's something nobody is used to seeing.  Usually Captain America makes it look easy, drives the length of the field, and scores a touchdown with about 30 seconds left in the game.  Maybe things are changing in New England.

Regardless, Pats win this week 31-24

Jacksonville (1-5) at Green Bay (4-3)

It seems the Packers have reached the "cakewalk" part of their schedule.  Aaron Rodgers has hit his stride and that isn't a good sign for the hapless Jaguars.

I don't think any Jaguars team in history could win this game on Sunday.  Prove me wrong!  Packers win 31-17

Atlanta (6-0) at Philadelphia (3-3)

It's hard to figure out if the Falcons are contenders for a championship.  To me, they seem like the same old Falcons who have a 12 win regular season and get bounced early in the playoffs.

There simply isn't any clear-cut Super Bowl frontrunner at this point in the season.  Some would call it "league parity," I happen to think that there just aren't that many good teams.

This is no easy victory for the Falcons,  In fact, I'm taking the Eagles to win this game in 27-26.

P.S. Michael Vick is a dog owner again.  If I were that dog, I wouldn't want to go near the pool when Vick The Dick is around.  Probably stay away from that dusty rape stand in the attic too.

Washington (3-4) at Pittsburgh (3-3)

Is there a more perennially-overrated cornerback than D'Angelo Hall?  I gotta give him credit, all he does is get burned by the NFL's best wide receivers, yet he somehow maintains the paycheck & status of an elite cornerback.  Must've sucked a lot of dick along the way.

D'Angelo Hall: The Cameron Diaz of the NFL.

If you gave me a choice between Bob III and the Rapistberger... I'm sorry Big Ben, you bring a lot to the table, but it's Bob III all the way.  Too bad he can't play cornerback too.  Skins win 28-24

Seattle (4-3) at Detroit (2-4)

The Lions are dead.  All they needed to do was score two touchdowns last week and they couldn't get it done.

Now Megatron (1 TD this season) has a sore knee and Matt Stafford continues to do this weird sidearm throwing motion.  What the fuck is that?  Where did it come from?  He looks like an overgrown teenager.  Maybe after curling his hair one morning he was practicing his throwing motion in the mirror and said, "Yeah, this looks cool, this will get you laid Matty S."

(Editor's Note: It's a fact all teenagers refer to themselves in the third person. You can't argue with science.)

The Seahawks look tough.  They are built to win on the road and in the playoffs.  Feeling pretty good about picking the Seahawks as a surprise playoff team in my preseason preview.  Seahawks win easy 23-13.

Carolina (1-5) at Chicago (5-1)

Man, why does everyone have to be so racist?  They're only hating on Cam because he's black, we all know that.  It has nothing to do with his terrible completion percentage, his poor TD/INT ration, or his inability to, y'know, win football games.  Nope, it's just because he's black.

I heard it's supposed to rain on Sunday in Chicago... fucking racist jet stream.  Trying to keep Cam down?  Can't handle an African-American quarterback succeeding can you, jet stream?  I thought we'd come to a point in American history where race didn't have to come into play unnecessarily.  Shame on you, jet stream!  Thank goodness smart men like Warren Moon are around to protect our African-American athletes from racial bias.

Bears win 31-20 because Jay Cutler is white and Cam Newton is black.

Oakland (2-4) at Kansas City (1-5)

What a wretched game this will be.  I honestly would rather watch women's indoor volleyball than sit through this.  I would rather spend three hours shoveling horse manure.  I would rather watch Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus debate the meaning of life for 3 hours (if only for that really creepy father-daughter sexual tension they have).  Raiders win 20-10.  Yay.

New York Giants (5-2) at Dallas (3-3)

The Cowboys season-opening win against the Giants seems like a long time ago.

I will admit, I do enjoy watching the Cowboys, if only because it seems like Lil' Dezzy Bryant could freak out at any moment and start punching his mom again.

I think the Giants return the favor and win one in Jerry Jones' house, 27-21.

New Orleans (2-4) at Denver (3-3)

Drew Breezy vs. Peytie Manny!

I owe an apology to Peytie, whom I told to retire before he was upstaged by Phillip Rivers.  I learned my lesson, never bet on Phillip Rivers to upstage anyone.

I'm sorry, Peytie.  You shouldn't retire and I probably should.  You have everything, except, of course, a normal-sized forehead.

I have yet to call a Saints game correctly, but I think that ends Sunday.  Broncos win 38-28

San Francisco (5-2) at Arizona (4-3)

The Cardinals suck.  I mean, really suck.  Plus, let's all be mad at them for pissing away Larry Fitzgerald's prime.

Alex Smith is regressing and I think he needs a heavy dose of Moss Medicine.  I know it might not always taste good, but just take your Moss Medicine and you will like the results.  49ers win, Moss gets in the end zone.  Final score 23-13.

(Editor's Note: Moss Medicine has not been reviewed by the FDA.  It is not suitable for seniors, children under 10, Brad Childress, the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay fans or, just to be safe, JaMarcus Russell.)

Well there you go everybody!  Picks on picks on picks!  What's that Michael?  Your rage hasn't subsided from Thursday night's loss but you have to say something?  Alright, fair play.

Mike's Vikings Note:

The only thing I will say after that debacle of a Thursday night game, where everything that could go wrong did go wrong is this:

Anyone who thinks it's time for Joe Webb to replace Christian Ponder as starter is either drunk, dumb, or has no understanding of football (probably a combo of all 3).

The Vikings weren't Super Bowl Champions when they beat the Niners and they aren't the worst team in the league after this loss to the Bucs.  The Vikings are an average team that, when playing their best, are a good team.  When playing their worst, they're a bad team.  The sky isn't falling, it's not time to panic.  It all depends on how they respond next Sunday.

You all missed it because we cut off his microphone, but Mike then went on to claim that, "Newest Industry is for the children!  Fox Sports is good, but Ten & Six is the best!"  We're as surprised as you.

For more Mikey Otto be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  He's America's Finest Tweeter On Sundays.  Wait, AFTOS?  We need to spend less time googling Sarah Jones pictures.

This blog also lives on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1).  Give it a follow to stay up to date on our new posts as well as other work from our regular contributors.  More importantly, this blog has a Facebook page here. Stop by and give us a "like" if you have the time.  The more "likes" we get the better chance we have to get paid for this.  And frankly, we need it.  We're down to generic Moss Medicine.  It tastes kind of like Troy Williamson.  Please, give us a "like."

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 7 (Thursday Bonus!)

Well hello again, football fans!  Welcome to Ten & Six: Week 7 (Special Thursday Bonus!)

For those of you who haven't been following along, Mike Otto  is a diehard Vikings fan and our resident football expert.  Each week, in his Saturday Ten & Six column, Mike breaks down the upcoming Vikings game.  He also makes his picks for the rest of the league.  Since the NFL has decided to have a Thursday game each week this season we've had to adjust our schedule accordingly.

Mike's been making his predictions for these Thursday games over on our Facebook page.  However, since the column has been such a hit we decided to make a full post of his Thursday pick.

So, without further ado, here we go:

Seattle (4-2) at San Francisco (4-2)

Tonight's game should be a great one and a surprise battle for 1st place in the tightly-contested NFC West. At this point only one game separates the king of the mountain and the cellar dweller. If you ask me about the NFC West, it seems Rams DE Chris Long should always be kept in a cellar and fed a bucket of fish heads each day. CAVEMAN HUNGRY, NEED FOOD, IMPRESS CAVEMAN DAD HOWIE.

Anyway, I like Seattle's chances to keep this game close, which is a safe bet, because they have kept every game close this year (and I'm all about taking risks, people). Much like Alex Smith was all about taking risks in the Niners trouncing last Sunday. Terrible, terrible risks. Stop playing the game of "Risk," Alex Smith, and stick to "Stratego," seems more your style. Face it, you're never gonna take over the world, and if you want to take over New Orleans come February it's time to stop sucking.

All in all I think the Niners bounce back with a 20-16 victory.

Boom!  Niners with the win and sole possession of first place for at least 10 days since the Cardinals are going to be thrashed this weekend at the Metrodome.

For more of Mr. Otto's commentary, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  Trust us, he goes off on Sundays.

Mike will be back with the rest of his predictions this Saturday along with his preview of the Vikings/Cardinals game.  Be sure to check back.

This blog also lives on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) and, as mentioned, has a Facebook page.  Stop by and give that one a "like" if you have the time.  It would really impress our dads.   

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 6 (Thursday Bonus!)

Hey everybody!  Welcome to Ten & Six's  Thursday Bonus!

If you haven't been following along too closely so far, Mike Otto has been making a Thursday pick each week.  They've all been posted on Newest Industry's Facebook page (which you can look at here).

However, due to the runaway success of Mike's column, we've decided to start posting them here on the blog, giving you. loyal readers, a one-stop, all you can eat, Mike Otto football buffet.  Yeah.  Think about that.

Anyway, on to tonight's pick:

Pittsburgh (2-2) at Tennessee (1-4)

This week's Thursday night contest sends The Steel Curtain to the Music City to Face Brad Johnso- I mean Matt Hasslebeck and the Tennessee Titans.

Early reports indicate Jake Locker won't play again this week and I doubt he will because there is no point in trotting out your QB of the future (and only hope) on a half-separated shoulder in what is already a lost season for the Titans. Plus, you have a perfect 37 year old punching bag and mule for punishment in Hassleback just sitting there.

Chris Johnson should watch some old Eddie George highlights- take a few pointers from a real running back (and the best running back to ever don a Titans jersey).  Yeah, I said it, AND ITS TRUE.

The only way The Titans win this game is by re-animating Steve McNair's corpse and handing him his old number 9 and a helmet...I'm betting that if McNair had a choice he would go all Pet Cemetery on us and say, "sometimes dead is better". Too soon? ehh who cares nobody reads this anyway.

Steelers win easy 27-10

Boom!  There you have it, football fans!  Be sure to check back here on Saturday for Mike's full Ten & Six: Week 6 column.  Picks!  Vikings breakdown!  Gratuitous obscenities!  Get some!

In the meantime, be sure to give Mikey a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  Especially on Sundays.

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 4 - Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Plus Picks!)

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

Hello again, Vikings fans! Welcome back to Ten & Six with Mike Otto.  Again, lifelong Vikings fan Mike Otto is with us this season to break down the Purple and the rest of the league.  It's Week 4, which means we're entering the quarter-pole for the 2012 NFL season.  Yes, already.

So Mr. Otto: Talk to us.

(Editors Note: A large chunk of this column was hammered out by Mike and myself during the days before the regular officials and NFL struck a deal).

Well, another wild and, at times, ragged week in the NFL is complete!  Another week of hard-to-believe upsets, controversial play calls, and player/commissioner animosity.

My picks went 6-10 last week, but my Vikings played their most complete game in over 2 years, so I'm a happy guy.

(Editors Note: Mike's pick for Thursday night's game between the Ravens & Browns was posted on our Facebook page here. Yet again, he picked against the Browns.  Yet again, he was correct.  OK, I'll shut up now.)

No one can deny the replacement officials have lost control of the situation.  The tension and anger with some coaches & teams is building and nearing a breaking point.  I am not denying any of that, as it is a very serious problem that only the real refs can fix.

However, throughout the history of the NFL, calls have been missed almost every week, sometimes on much greater stages than what occurred Monday night.  Unless proof of direct intent to alter games through bad calls comes to light we cannot blame these poor bastards known as the replacement refs.

They are just guys who got an opportunity to better their lives and, regardless of the challenges that came with that opportunity, said, "Hey, I'm gonna give it a shot."  If Roger Goodell knocked on my door and asked if I wanted $25 grand to ref maybe five weeks of football I'd be a fucking idiot not to take him up on it.  Do I know the game well enough to give it a good effort and do an average job?  Hell yes!  Will I be as good as the guys who do this every year? Probably not.

For guys like T.J. Lang & Josh Sitton to insult these poor bastards (from the comfort of their multi-million dollar homes), saying "they knew what they were getting into..." yeah, they knew they were getting into $25 grand!  Which is probably what you wipe your ass with.

Hey Josh Sitton & T.J. Lang, maybe you should work on those screen door blocking techniques before you open your big dumb mouth and let words fall out.  Maybe next time.

(Mike's Late Note: The replacement officials will be gone for this week's games, so this can all be put behind us.  All things considered though, I think they did a decent job.  The Packers lost that game because they played poorly for 3 quarters.)

Now that I've got that off my chest, on to the picks for this week!

(Mike is currently 25-24 (including last Thursday) so far this season.)

Carolina (1-2) at Atlanta (3-0)

Is the sophomore slump in effect for Cam Newton?  It sure seems like it.  After losing only one game in college, Killa Cam hasn't even sniffed a winning record in the NFL.

It doesn't get any easier this week as the Panthers travel to Atlanta to take on one of the best teams in the league.  Julio Jones looks unstoppable with Matt Ryan throwing him the ball.  Falcons roll 38-21.

New England (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1)

Ohhh poor little Boston is 1-2!!  Poor little bitches!  Hey Belicheck, YOU DON'T get to grab a ref when he's leaving the field.  That ref isn't starstruck, he doesn't care who you are or what you've done.  He's probably thinking about the frozen burrito he's going to eat tonight.

The entitlement attitude displayed by some coaches and teams really bothers me.  Whether they deserve to or not, I think Boston gets back to .500 this week with a 28-20 victory.

Tennessee (1-2) at Houston (3-0)

Tennessee pulled off the upset last week against the Lions with the aid of two special teams touchdowns.  They will more than likely need four special teams touchdowns to beat the Texans.

Houston might be the best team in the NFL right now.  They win this one easy 35-17.

San Diego (2-1) at Kansas City (1-2)

Next to the Packers and Bears, I hate the Chargers Most.  Not really sure why, just do.  Phillip Rivers and Norv Turner are a big part of it.  It will be fun to see Norv on Proactiv infomercials after he gets fired.  It will be even more fun to see Phillip Rivers on Stay Free Ultra Dry commercials in the offseason.

Kansas City is coming off a big road win against the Saints and I think they build on it this week.  Chiefs win a close one 24-21.

Seattle (2-1) at St. Louis (1-2)

If you haven't heard, Seattle is coming off a hard fought victory on Monday night.  St. Louis is coming off an all-to-common thrashing by their last opponent... DA BEARS.

The Seahawks fought, clawed, pushed, and shoved until the final minute to win that game.  The Rams were thoroughly mounted by the Bears for four quarters.

The Seahawks defense is mean and will win them this game, just like it won their last one.  Hawks roll 23-10.

San Francisco (2-1) at New York Jets (2-1)

The Jets are in trouble.  You don't normally say that about a 2-1 team, but most teams don't have fat, doomed Rex Ryan as head coach.  "Revis Island" is no longer accepting tourists for the rest of the year and this does not bode well for their playoff hopes & (foot fetish) dreams.

The Niners are coming off a loss where they were beaten at their own game by my favorite 11.  They are angry, they are hungry, and they are still scary good.  Did I mention Rex Ryan is fat and doomed?  I mentioned that, right?  Niners win 28-17

Miami (1-2) at Arizona (3-0)

The Cardinals are a surprising 3-0 and they're getting it done the old-fashioned way: hard-nosed defense and ball control offense.  They are for real.  Kevin Kolb out-performed former teammate and convicted dog murderer Michal Vick (fuck you, Michael Vick).

No Reggie Bush for Miami?  No chance for Miami!  Cards win at home 20-6.

Oakland (1-2) at Denver (1-2)

Oakland pulled off a stunning second half comeback last week against the Steelers behind a big day by Darren McFadden.

Seems like Peyton Manning is still trying to figure out timing & chemistry with his new teammates.  They had better hurry up.  A season can get away from you real fast.  Broncos get back in the win column this week with a 24-17 victory.

Cincinnati (2-1) at Jacksonville (1-2)

God, I just don't care about this game.  Let's say... Bengals win 20-10.

New Orleans (0-3) at Green Bay (1-2)

The Packers offense is ranked 28th through 3 weeks of the season.  This, more than anything else, is the reason they are 1-2.  All the delusional Packer fans in the world can't change that.

The Packers offense has a great chance to get healthy against a Saints defense that is just godawful.  I just don't see a Drew Brees-led team starting 0-4.  Saints pick up a huge road win and put the Packers in a tough early season hole.  31-28 Saints.

Washington (1-2) at Tampa Bay (1-2)

Last week I apologized to Josh Freeman and put him on a big game.  What happened?  The Ford Pinto that is Josh Freeman broke down (once again) with a stinky 10-28 performance and made me look stupid (once again).  At least we know he's good at one thing consistently.  So listen up, Freeman!  I don't think you're qualified to throw my trash away, much less throw a football for an NFL team!  You're as mobile as a sloth after a mid-day nap and as accurate as a pre-Iraq War New York Times article!  Time to watch a real QB play ball this week, Joshy boy.

RG III and the 'Skins win this one 28-13

New York Giants (2-1) at Philadelphia (2-1)

Philly is garbage.  Michael Vick is trash.  Their fans are scumbags.  Andy Reid can't manage the clock.  Have fun wallowing in your own misery, you fucks.  Way to sign Vick a $100 million contract after a few good games.  Fuck yourself, Philly.  Giants win 24-10.

Chicago (2-1) at Dallas (2-1)

The Bears are a tough test in Dallas, but the Cowboys are a different team at home.  Tony Romo really seems to feed off his home crowd and Jay Cutler seems to hold the ball too long.  That could be a problem with Demarcus Ware coming after him.  Cowboys win 20-17.

And with that, on to the Purple!

The Vikings are coming off their biggest win in over two years.  All three phases of the game were clicking for my favorite squad and it was a breath of fresh air.

The refs gave the Niners two extra timeouts, but it didn't matter because the Vikings played well enough to overcome a referee mistake (can't say that about the Packers).

Follow up a victory against the Niners with a victory in your first divisional game of the season and suddenly the league will be paying attention to the Purple.

There's no reason we can't win this game.  We took the Lions to the wire twice last year, only to come up just short both times.  If the refs don't miss a blatant 15-yard facemasking penalty committed on Joe Webb in the final minute the Vikings win one of those games for sure.

Unlike Packer fans, none us that bleed purple flew to New York, none of us stood outside the Metrodome protesting, and their was no national outrage.  Why, you ask?  For one, we're all adults with real lives.  Second, the happiness of our lives does not depend on football wins and losses.

My point being, we almost won last year when the team was much less complete.

Before we get into this week's game, though, let's look at the positives and negatives from last week.  First, the positives:

-Play calling: I was hard on Bill Musgrave last week and, to his credit, he put together a great game plan against a great defense.  The players, to their credit, executed it to perfection.

-Defense: For the first time in over two years the Vikings won the turnover battle.  Wow, has it been that long?  Sadly, yes, but well done.

-Christian Ponder: It's starting to look like he could be "the guy."  It's been so long since this team has had "the guy" at QB that I don't even know exactly how to feel.  I keep waiting for rug to be pulled out from under me.  Ponder that.

-Offensive Line: Ponder wasn't sacked once!  Against a defense as fierce as the 49ers, that might be the biggest accomplishment of them all.

-Penalties: Only one penalty last week!  How about that, Packers fans?

Now, the negatives:

-Toby Gerhart: Frazier and Musgrave inexplicably allowed Gerhart to touch the ball after two consecutive fumbles.  We were quickly rewarded with another fumble.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-1) at DETROIT LIONS (1-2)

Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:

Key #1: Establish the pace of the game.

We can't win a fast-paced, quick-touchdown type of contest.  Look for the Vikings to try to open the game with a long, methodical drive like they did against the Niners.

Key #2: Knock Matthew Stafford down early.

He's got a tweaked hamstring, so his mobility may be affected.  If we can get a couple hits and a sack on him early he might start to rush some throws, giving the Vikings an opportunity to grab an interception.

Key #3: Keep a safety deep.

We don't have a corner that can cover Megatron one-on-one over the course of an entire game.  He's a threat to take it to the house at anytime and the Vikings can't let him beat them single-handedly.

Matchups To Watch: 

Matchup #1: Jerome Simpson vs. Louis Delmas

The Vikings get their best deep threat receiver back after his 3 game suspension for smokin' the weed.  Yes, Chong Simpson is fast and athletic while Delmas   is a step slow for an NFL safety.  I hope to see the Vikings take a couple shots deep.

Matchup #2: Christian Ponder vs. The World

Ponder played the best game of his career last week and still faces plenty of doubters and questions.  This kid is dedicated (I can call him a kid because he's younger than me!).  I mean, he dumped his girlfriend to focus on football! (And he could have any woman in MPLS)  If CP7 follows up last week with another stellar performance against an average Lions defense it's time to throw those middle fingers up to everybody.

(Editor's Note: Kacie McDonnel, above, is CP7's now-ex-girlfriend.  Also, 'gratuitous' is in the eye of the beholder)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY QUARTERBACK NOW!

Mike's All Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week:

Running Back Adrian Peterson: 19 carries, 120 yards, 1 touchdown

Adrian has been consistently great against the Lions, topping 100 yards more times against Detroit than any other team.  The longest run of his career came against the Lions, an 80 yard scamper back in 2009.

Final Takes:

Vikings beat the Niners, Niners beat the Lions, ergo Vikings should beat the Lions!  Oh, if only it were that simple!

I don't see any reason the Vikings can't win this game if they come out with a solid gameplan and execute.  They need to keep the balance of run/pass they had last week, which kept a great defense guessing all day.

I want to see 15-20 touches for Adrian, 5-6 intermediate throws to Rudolph, and at least 1-2 completions of 20+ yards to Chong Simpson.  Add in the 9-10 receptions that Percy will get and there is no way we lose this game.

The Vikings discovered an identity last week for the first time since 2009.  They now have the model for victory, it's just a matter of keeping it fresh and recreating it week after week.  I find myself being legitimately excited about this squad.  We've got the pieces, now let's put the puzzle together!

Win this game and the rest of the league will have to start respecting us as a legit playoff contender.  Suck a dick, America, here comes the Purple!

FINAL SCORE:

Minnesota Vikings: 23
Detroit Lions: 20

Bam! 3-1 here we come!  For more of the always entertaining Mike Otto, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  He'll be commenting on the game this Sunday in between creeper tweets directed at Kacie McDonnel.

Of course, this blog has a Twitter home too (@NewestIndustry1), which you should follow if you want to watch someone attempt to crush Mike's attempts to woo Ms. McDonnel.  We're also on Facebook here.  Stop by and give us a like and we will personally guarantee you that the Vikings will make the playoffs (guarantees not void on any planet consisting of vegetation).